Page 73 of Hard Rain Coming

Dallas pulled back, and she saw the question in his eyes.

“You have to forgive him, Viv. You’ll never shake the past until you do.”

“I don’t know if I can.” She could barely get the words out, her throat was so damn tight.

She knew Dallas was right. But knowing and accepting and then doing was a hell of a lot harder than it seemed.

“I’ve spent so many years hating my father for his weakness. For his failure to be there for us when Mom died. His failure to be a parent. And for that last night, the things he said, I…” Her head dropped. She still felt so damn small.

“Manley did a lot of things wrong. I’m guessing he’d be straight and tell you the same thing. He lost someone just like you, but the difference between you and your father is that you’re stronger. You’ve always been so damn strong. And now, you need to dig a little deeper. Find that little bit more that will let you see him. Let you talk to him.” Dallas swept his mouth over hers. “Let you forgive him the same way you forgave me. The same way you forgave yourself.”

“I want to,” she answered truthfully. “I just don’t know if I can.”

Dallas held her for a few more moments and then slowly got to his feet, dragging her along with him. He kept her close, for which she was grateful. Never had she felt this fragile. This exposed. This confused.

Considering her past, that was saying something.

“Let’s go home,” Dallas said. “Whatever you do, I’m in your corner. You don’t have to do this alone anymore.”

Wordlessly, Vivian turned and left the kitchen, Dallas following. They didn’t speak as they took the stairs. It didn’t take long for her to pack up her things, and when she made it down to the foyer, she found Dallas chatting with Miss Callie.

The older woman turned to Vivian and gave her a big hug. “I feel as if we’ve turned a corner,” she said with a wink.

“Life has a lot of corners,” Vivian replied softly.

“Yes.” Miss Callie nodded and stood back. “But corners just mean there’s a new path to take.” Her eyes twinkled. “And new paths are an adventure.” She stood aside. “I hope to see you two again.”

“You will,” Vivian said as she walked outside. “And thank you for everything.”

“I’ve arranged for my truck to be picked up. We’ll take yours.” Dallas still had the keys to her rental, so she slid into the passenger seat. “I’ve got us booked on a flight in three hours. We should make it if traffic is light.”

“Okay,” she replied.

His big hand covered hers, and that stupid lump was back in her throat. He’d never been the guy to hold hands, and that small gesture meant more than she could articulate. So she didn’t bother. She sank back into the seat and closed her eyes.

There were still so many things unsaid. But still, she felt settled. She had hope. And now they were headed back to Montana. Back to where everything began. Back to her father.

A man she’d not spoken to since that night he’d crashed into her bedroom and spun her world on its axis. She had no idea what she was going to say to him, but she knew she had to try, because Dallas was right.

She just hoped she had enough strength of mind to do what it was she needed to do. Forgive the first man she’d ever loved so that she could be with the one who currently owned her heart.

Only then could she move past living half a life.

And maybe, finally, have a chance at happiness.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Their flight was delayed, which meant they took off around 3:00 p.m. instead of noon and arrived in Montana much later than expected. It was cold, with dark, ominous skies full of snow-filled clouds. Fitting, Vivian supposed, for what was to come.

She had no idea whether things would go off or go well.

“You okay?” Dallas asked as they pulled up in front of the Founder’s Cabin. She’d insisted on coming out right away. Mostly because she was afraid that if she didn’t, she’d lose the nerve she’d built up in Belle Adair—which had been slowly leaking from her like air from a balloon.

“No.” Vivian glanced at him and attempted a smile before turning to face the cabin. “He’s home.” She was adult enough to admit that she’d half hoped they would find the place empty, but with soft light falling from the windows and two vehicles parked off to the side, it was apparent the home was occupied.

“I don’t recognize that jeep,” she said, eyes on the black Cherokee parked beside an older Ford F150.

“I believe Manley has a lady friend.”